Improvement in gate-fasteners



R. J. BOOTH. Gate-Fastener.

No. `210,659. Patented Dec. 1o, 1878'.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT J. BOOTH, OF DES ABO, ARKANSAS, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-THIRD HIS RIGHT TO WASHINGTON O. PEAROE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVM ENT IN GATE-FASTENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 210,659, dated December 10, 187e; application tiled September 4, 1878.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. BOOTH, of Des Arc, in the county of Prairie and State ot' Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate-Fasteners and I do hereby declare that the following is ai'ull, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying' drawings, and to letters Ot' reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of a gatepost provided with my improved gate-fasten er. Fig. 2 is a front sectional elevation, showing the hand-levers for operating the slide. Fig. 3 is a view oi' the rear face of the slide; and Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the gatepost and one oi' the operating-levers.

This invention relates to a combined gatepost and keeper for gate-latches; and itconsists in the improvements in the construction of the same hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The invention forming the subject of this application is shown, but not described or claimed, in a previous application allowed September 4, 1878.

In the accompanying drawing similar letters ot reference indicate like parts in the several figures.

A chamber, B, is formed in the post A, near its inner face, and extending from the top ot the same to near the bottom. Ahinged door, C, covers this chamber B; or the cover may be screwed or nailed to post without departing from thc invention. A recess, D, is cut transversely in the post A at the bottom of the door O. About midway of the post A mortises a a are made, which connect with a hole, E, made transversely in the post A. In this hole E are inserted thumb shafts or levers F F',

`provided with arms c c, projecting through the mortises a a.' in the chamber B.

A slide-bar, Gr, fills the chamber B to near its top, leaving room only for a vertical movement of the slide-bar G within the chamber B. This slide-bar Gis recessed at el d' in its rear face near each edge, and about midway of its length, and in these recesses d d' the arms c c of the levers F F' project, to en gage with the slide-bar and raise it when required. At the lower end of the slide-bar G, and in the front face thereof, is made a recess, H, in which are pivoted two keepers, I I', which are held apart by a spring, K.

The latch ot' the gate is supposed to, and does, sweep through the transverse slot or recess I) in openin g and closing the gate, which with this arrangement may be opened or closed from both sides. When the gate is to be. opened it is only necessary to turn either of the levers F or F', which will raise the slidebar G and permit the latch to swing clear of the keeper I or I', as the case maybe. When the gate is to be closed (which maybe done automatically or otherwise) the latch will strike either the keeper I or I', as the case may be, and will carry it inwardly until the keeper will slip over the latch and be forced back to place by the spring IC, where the keepers will hold it until one or the other of the levers F or F' are operated to release it. Where the hinged door is employed, it may be opened at any time to repair injuries.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

A combined gate-post and keeper cousistin g of the post A, having chamber B, provided with the side bar, G, having recesses del' D, an d pivoted keepers I I', and spring K, levers F F', and door O, combined, arranged, and operating substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BOBI. J. BOOTH.

Witnesses:

A. D. Bnnnrrr, GEO. J. REUBELL. 

